Editing Halo: Escalation Issue 15

{{Title|''Halo: Escalation Issue 15''}}
{{Status|RealWorld}}
{{Comics infobox
|prev=Halo: Escalation Issue 14
|next=Halo: Escalation Issue 16
|name=''Halo: Escalation Issue 15''
|image=[[File:HaloEscalation15.jpg|300px]]
|writer=[[Duffy Boudreau]]
|artist=*Sergio Ariño (penciller)<br>
*Juan Castro (inker)
*Michael Atiyeh (colorist)
*Jean-Sébastien Rossbach (cover artist)
|publisher= [[Dark Horse Comics]]
|publication= [[2015|February 25, 2015]]
|length=32 pages
|ISBN= 
}}

'''''Halo: Escalation Issue 15''''' was released on [[2015|February 25, 2015]] and is the fifteenth comic in the ''[[Halo: Escalation]]'' series.<ref>[http://www.darkhorse.com/Comics/26-628/Halo-Escalation-15 '''Dark Horse Comics''': ''Halo: Escalation #15'']</ref>

==Official summary==
{{Article quote|On a treacherous planet, the [[UNSC Infinity]] battles the bloodthirsty [[Covenant]] for control of the [[Janus Key]] — and the [[Forerunner]] [[Ecumene|empire's]] secrets... The action-packed sequel to Halo 4's Spartan Ops continues! Story by Duffy Boudreau (BlackAcre, Bloodshot), art by Sergio Ariño (Ms. Marvel)!}}

==Plot synopsis==
After seven hours of [[Battle of Aktis IV|conflict]], [[Roland]] makes a report about the situation on [[Aktis IV]]: [[Jul 'Mdama]]'s [[Jul 'Mdama's Covenant|fleet]] has been attacking the {{UNSCShip|Infinity}} and preventing the ship from moving. On the ground, Commander [[Sarah Palmer|Palmer]] has established a defensive position in the [[Forerunner]] structure and is under attack by hordes of Covenant forces while the ''Infinity'' cannot establish contact with them. Inside the structure, Palmer, [[Fireteam Majestic|Majestic]] and [[Henry Glassman|Dr. Glassman]] are trapped, and [[Gabriel Thorne|Thorne]] informs Palmer that [[Carlo Hoya|Hoya]] has disappeared. Palmer orders Glassman to get the structure's [[teleportation grid]] online before the Covenant breach their defenses. Glassman informs her that the grid is online but he needs to decode the coordinates to the exit portals and there is no chance to successfully escape to a safer location.

On the planet, Jul 'Mdama and his forces find one of [[Sali 'Nyon]]'s [[Sali 'Nyon's Covenant|followers]]. A [[Sangheili Zealot]] advises him to return to the ''[[Song of Retribution]]'' for his safety, but 'Mdama declines. The Zealot informs him that 'Nyon has broadcast a transmission to incite Jul's forces to join his faction and rebel against 'Mdama. Another Zealot informs 'Mdama that his forces are about to enter the structure where the UNSC forces remain barricaded. 'Mdama orders his forces to kill all the humans when they enter the site, except Glassman as he has a special punishment for him.

After they enter a Phantom, Jul is contacted by [[Catherine Halsey|Dr. Halsey]], who tells him that she heard Sali 'Nyon's fleet-wide message and stresses the importance of recovering the [[Janus Key]] over 'Nyon's rebellion. 'Mdama reveals he has changed his opinion about keeping Halsey onboard the ''Song of Retribution''. In the jungle Hoya is, unknowingly, facing 'Nyon's forces. A Zealot is about to kill him when a Promethean Knight kicks the Zealot, saving Hoya in the process. Hoya falls off a cliff and spots a Phantom with Dr. Halsey inside. Meanwhile, the Covenant breach the Forerunner structure where the Spartans have taken shelter and attack them. Ray informs Palmer that Hoya has spotted Dr. Halsey being escorted by Jul's forces.

In Sali 'Nyon's hideout on the planet, a Zealot asks 'Nyon about the feasibility of continuing the rebellion. 'Nyon tells him the rebellion will continue and reassures his followers that the [[Forerunner]]s have blessed them, of which his acquisition of the half of the Janus Key is proof. A [[Sangheili Minor]] then tells him there is evidence to the contrary: the [[Promethean]]s' allegiance to Jul 'Mdama, to which Sali responds the answers will be revealed soon. As 'Nyon goes to heal the wounded, the Minor stays behind. Inside the Forerunner structure, Glassman has opened the teleportation grid. He tells Palmer he can open a portal to the other end of the island, but Palmer asks him if one of the portals can be opened inside the jungle. Glassman affirms this is possible and Palmer orders him to open both portals, then orders [[Tedra Grant|Grant]], Glassman and three other Spartans to take one portal while Palmer, Ray and Thorne take the other. On the other end of the island, two [[Mark IX Mantis ADS|Mantises]] are fighting against Covenant forces. Grant's team arrives through the portal and are almost killed by friendly fire from the Mantises.

Palmer, Ray and Thorne scout the jungle when they spot a Sangheili Minor in a [[Karo'etba-pattern Ghost|Ghost]]. The Minor contacts a Zealot of Jul's Covenant and tells him he wants to rejoin 'Mdama, having reached the conclusion that Jul is the true Didact's Hand because the Prometheans would never obey an impostor. He then reveals he has the half of the Janus Key stolen by 'Nyon, and he will lead them to 'Nyon's hideout. The Zealot orders him to conceal himself until they arrive and establish a rendezvous point. Thorne and Ray prepare to ambush the Minor but Palmer orders them to stop. Both Spartans question her order, pointing out that they could easily take the Janus Key from the Sangheili before Halsey arrives with a greater force. However, Palmer states that the Minor will lead them to Halsey and that it is time the Doctor gets caught in her own trap.

==Production notes==
During production of the cover for the comic, it was decided to remove the sensor radome on the lead Mantis to help enhance the visual's flow. It was later stated that the canon reason for this change is that the component was shot off.<ref>[https://www.instagram.com/p/y7-yVrBq4h/ ''hmcc_print on Instagram''] - ''The final version of the cover, with additions to the scene's intensity. Fans may notice the sensor radome on the lead Mantis vanished. This was an intentional concession to enhance the flow of the image. Canon reason: the sensor was shot off.''</ref>
===Mistakes===
*The zealot that is conversing with Jul' Mdama in the beginning of the issue changes armor styles and colors between panels. Initially it wears white armor in the likeness of ''Halo: Reach''<nowiki>'</nowiki>s Zealots, then on the following page has red armor in the likeness of ''Halo 4''<nowiki>'</nowiki>s Zealots.
*Despite Dr. Catherine Halsey standing inside the Phantom's entrance, her appearance through Hoya's scope makes it appear as though she's standing outside. Also the DMR's scope zoom magnification is greatly exaggerated considering Hoya's distance from Halsey.
*The Janus Key half formerly in the UNSC's possession is now red, despite the UNSC originally obtaining the blue half in ''[[Spartan Ops]]''; the artifact's color was depicted correctly in the [[Halo: Escalation Issue 14|previous issue]] of ''Escalation''. However, the mistake is carried over to the [[Halo: Escalation Issue 16|following issue]].
*Spartan Ray's armor is inexplicably purple rather than blue, an error which is carried into the next issue.

==Gallery==
<gallery>
File:HE15_Cover_WIP_1.jpg|Initial layout sketch for the cover art.
File:HE15_Cover_WIP_2.jpg|Final layout sketch for the cover art.
File:HE15_Cover_WIP_3.jpg|Paintover of the prior sketch.
File:Halo Escalation 15.jpg|Full final cover art.
File:HE15 Infinity Attacked.jpg|The UNSC ''Infinity'' is attacked by Jul' Mdama's fleet.
File:HE15 Barricaded.jpg|Jul's forces attempt to breach the barricade.
File:HE15 Trapped.jpg|The Spartan group is trapped in the Forerunner structure.
File:HE15 Found.jpg|More of Sali's followers are caught.
File:HE15 Jul Prometheans.jpg|Jul converses with a Zealot. 
File:HE15 Hoya Dodge.jpg|Hoya dodges a Zealot's energy sword.  
File:HE15 Hoya Saved 2.jpg|Hoya is saved by a Promethean Knight. 
File:HE15 In Sight.jpg|Halsey is spotted by Hoya.
File:HE15 Breached.jpg|Determinded covenant forces breach the barricade.  
File:HE15 Sali Hideout.jpg|Sali and his followers retreat in a hideout.
File:HE15 Sali Throne.jpg|Sali converses with an unconvinced Minor.
File:HE15 Control Pnl.jpg|Glassman activates two portals. 
File:HE15 Split.jpg|Palmer splits the group.
File:HE15 Mantis Battle.jpg|Mantis' battle Jul's forces.
File:HE15 Misfire.jpg|The second Spartan group is nearly hit by friendly fire.
File:HE15 Search.jpg|The first Spartan group searches the jungle.
File:HE15 Second Thought.jpg|A turn-coat among Sali's followers steals the Janus Key.
File:HE15 Wait.jpg|Palmer changes the plan.
File:HE15 Determined.jpg|A determined Palmer awaits Halsey. 
</gallery>

==Sources==
{{Ref/Sources}}

==See also==
*''[[Halo: Escalation]]''

{{succession box|before=''[[Halo: Escalation Issue 14|Issue 14]]''|title=''[[Halo: Escalation]]'' comic series|years='''''Issue 15'''''|after=''[[Halo: Escalation Issue 16|Issue 16]]''}}

{{Comics|HE}}

[[Category:Comics|Escalation Issue 15]]
[[Category:Canon]]